The Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre's 30th Annual Wooden Boat Festival is ready to set sail this weekend.
There's plenty to see and do during this event, which celebrates B.C.'s maritime heritage.
Festivities kick off Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast, and there will be live entertainment during the day, as a well as a salmon barbecue and silent auction in the evening.
There's also steam bending, knot tying and steam engine demonstrations, children's boat building, a fishing derby, face painting, a chowder contest sure to tempt the tastebuds, water races to watch, wine tasting and voting for your favourite boat on display.
"This year the festival is proud to feature Grail Dancer, an extraordinary 61 foot traditional schooner based upon the hull lines of an 1866 schooner named Emma C.
Berry," a press release for the event enthuses. "Taking almost 20 years to construct, she was built on Thetis Island out of local Douglas fir and yellow cedar. Festival goers will have the opportunity to step aboard and see the fine workmanship for themselves."
Complete festival details are available at www.classicboats. org